Lethal Misconceptions

Perspective: Unknown

I look myself over as per tradition. I start with my mane and tail, the two tones of azure that were bestowed at birth. I drifted to my eyes and horn, grayed out and tired from the expense of my arcane talents. I now eyed my coat, a deep cobalt as always. Finally resting on my hooves, I can almost see the blood of so many on them. Whether they deserved it or not I was not in a position to say, but what's done is done.

I hate myself for what I've done but its the only thing I know how to do. As always I would counteract my less than desirable thoughts with my saving grace, a bottle of wine aged since 4112. I poured a small glass and pondered the sensation as it soon passed through my throat. Reworking the cork into place I set it inside the cabinet of my temporary abode.

Maybe I'll get a new safe house after this job... I enjoyed the thought. Alas, I could not savor it for long, as there was work to be done. I donned my oh so familiar cloak and went out into the night.

I walked to a familiar alleyway in Canterlot. All that occupied the confined area was a dumpster and the back door to a café. I reach under the refuse of the dumpster to reveal the dead drop with my next target inside.

Job Description: Target infuriated one HT.

Target: Star Dancer. Pegasus. Light green coat. Black mane and tail. Cutie mark is a telescope. Mother.

Orders: 'Natural' Causes.

Location: 4356 Reverie Drive. Canterlot.

"A mother... this will be easy", I say as I began to make my way to the given address. I perch atop an apartment complex overlooking my target's home.

Where are you... Ah there you are. I see my target enter her home. I pull up the hood on my cloak to cover my horn, jumping from the rooftop and landing in a roll to soften my landing. I walk to the window to see her cooking dinner.

It said she was a mother; where's her foal? No sooner had I finished that thought when I saw a foal bouncing around her. Perfect. I draw power to my horn as I began to cast a spell.

***

Perspective: Star Dancer

I am a maid for the fashion monarch Hoity Toity. Recently I have been stealing from him, small things to prevent being caught. Unfortunately Hoity Toity came home early and caught me. After his exuberant display of anger, I guessed what I stole was worth a lot ... oops. I thought I was going to go to get fired or go to jail or get fired out of a cannon to the place where I'll be in jail. Instead he said he was sorry for his outburst, and he'd see me tomorrow.

I wonder why I wasn't fired. He had every right to fire me... but why didn't he? I headed for my house, eager to get home to my pride and joy. I opened the door and relieved myself of my saddle bags. I walked to the kitchen to start dinner when I heard hoof steps approach me.

"MOM!!!" My small filly with a similar color scheme launched at me.

"You're home! You're home!" I chuckled slightly at her display.

"Yes honey, now go wash up for dinner." The young filly then bounded for the stairs before she fell to the floor. I spun around to see what had happened. I was met with horror. My only child was picked up by this pony in a cloak.

"MOM!!!!!!!", she shouted with tears in her eyes before her throat was slit.

"NOOOOO!!!!" I charged the pony but he just dispersed in to a cloud of smoke. I turned to my daughter's still form and sobbed deeply into her coat.

***

Perspective: Unknown

It was too easy. I almost feel bad that she fell for it... almost. I smirk as I approach Star Dancer who was prone on the floor sobbing into the floorboard.

I rather enjoy my work as it lets me get creative. I withdraw a small blade and slowly prick her neck.

The illusions are just icing on the cake. As I began to leave I hear her foal charge from the second floor. Before she took notice of me, I lurched through the open window. Just as I had made my exit I dispelled the illusion, bringing Star Dancer back to reality. I look back to see her hugging her daughter tightly while sobbing.

Hopefully she will make the most of the few hours she has. I look to my blade and the green substance coating it.

I give her two maybe three hours tops. I walk to my safe house in complete tranquility. As I enter I toss my cloak onto my chair, close the blinds and lock the door.

***

I have no regrets for taking other's lives. My entire life is devoted to it now. I have no remorse for those who have yet to meet my blade. If I am commissioned then so be it. I began to pour myself a glass of wine as I sat in the safe house's chair. I began to read an article of vacant residences in towns such as Ponyville, Detrot, and Hoofington.

Maybe I just need a change of pace. While Canterlot has no lack of contracts, it does lack the timid nature I was accustomed to for so long. Maybe I'll see about getting my own safehouse in Detrot or Ponyville. I down the glass' contents and reach for a vial of liquid dragon fire. I began to pen a quick letter.

HT,

It is Done.

I drop some of the liquid onto the paper before I walk over to a candle and burn it. As it disappeared before me, I shed a thought for the foal.

I wonder what shall happen to her? Probably become an orphan. I refilled my glass to the brim attempting to drown the ping of my conscience. That damn thing I despise. Tossing the glass away I tilted back the bottle of wine. Bottoms up...

***

I awoke to the sun's rising, as it peered light through the blinds directly at my retinas. Having risen from the safe-house's bedroom I had a small pounding in my head as I trotted to the kitchen.

I splashed water in my face. The immediate jolt to my nervous system woke me up. I adorned my cloak and headed out for the dead drop with a hangover that hurts like a motherfucker. I don't know why since I never return to a mark's house but for some reason I did today. I walk past Star Dancer's house to see the foal crying upon the door step. I wanted to walk away but my conscience got the better of me. Stupid thing. I walk up to her uncovering my head as I stood next to her.

"Hello young one, what is your name?" I ask.

The young filly looked up to me with welled tears as she replied. "S-star S-shine...."

She sobbed uncontrollably as I sat down on the door step. I placed a hoof over her and pulled her close.

"Star Shine, a beautiful name, but why are you crying?" She looked at me with those big tear filled eyes.

"My... my mommy didn't wake up..." she says before once again crying.

"Listen here, Star Shine. While your feeling all kinds of hurt right now, dwelling on it only prolongs the suffering. I'm not saying you should forget about your mother, but instead of grieving it's better to remember the moments you shared with her. You have to move forward for her." She looked at me with eyes that caught me off guard.

"Did you know my mommy?" Oh... damn. Well I'm beyond the point of no return now. I thought of a way out of this situation as words escaped my throat.

"No, but I know how you feel. My mother passed when I was really young. So I know that the grief keeps eating away at you until you come to terms with it. There is no escaping what's inside you." She seemed to dry her eyes as I spoke to her.

"She was all I had Mister...." She stared directly at my eyes as she trailed off.

"Subtle Shift. But please call me Shift," I say as she slowly nuzzled my hoof.

"Okay Shift." She seemed to lighten up as if all her worries were gone. How strange...

"So you don't have any other family Shine?" She slowly shook her head at the question. I can't let her go to an orphanage, she's way too sweet to turn out like me.

"Well...", I hesitated to finish my sentence but something willed me on. "If you want, you can stay with me."

Her eyes sparkled at the news as she bounced around me shouting "Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes".

What have I gotten myself into?

***

Perspective: Star Shine

"If you want, you can stay with me."

I stared at him for a second before jumping for joy around him shouting "Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes". This stallion is the nicest pony ever!

As we continued down the road, he turned into a back alley. "Where are you going?", I asked him fearing he would ditch me. A moment passed and he returned with a bag of bits in his hoof.

"Whoa you found that in the dumpster? It must be your lucky day Mr.Shift!" He looked at me and nonchalantly shrugged.

"It must be, and don't call me mister. As I said before Shift is fine." I eyed the bag and looked towards his horn.

"Sorry Shift... hey, if you don't mind me asking... Why not just grab the bag with your magic? I mean you're a unicorn right?" He shook his head as his answer came.

"I'm not very... shall we say... adept at using normal magic. I was never formally instructed as a colt." I was in disbelief.

A unicorn who doesn't know how to use his magic? What's next a pegasus who is afraid of heights?

"This is where you live?" I came to face a deteriorating apartment complex. The walls were grayed and looked as if they would fall at any moment.

"Home sweet home." He laughed as we approached the door. When he reached to get keys from behind a false wall panel, I caught a glimpse of his cutie mark. It was a small mask that I had seen during Nightmare Night. What is that called... mask something... mask-or-aid? I think that's it. I decided to ask him about it.

"Umm... Shift? What does your cutie mark mean?" He peered at me with slight interest as he inspected my blank flank.

"I see you do not have your own? Well, mine means I like to blend in or to move without being seen in a crowd... to be anonymous or unknown. If you ask how I earned mine so you may have an idea of getting your own, don't worry they just take time." I was both intrigued and mildly annoyed at his answer.

"Okay, another time then?" he looked at me once more as he let out a sigh.

"Sure... another time." I celebrated a little in my head at his answer. Well, I guess I start a new life now... YAY.